Image Credit: UAA
They say you can’t go home again, but apparently, no one shared that axiom with Denzel Aberdeen, who plans to put it to the test for the 2026-27 college basketball season. The former Florida Gators guard has committed to return to his former team after a one-year respite with the Kentucky Wildcats, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
Aberdeen, who spent his first three collegiate seasons at Florida, completed his senior campaign at Kentucky averaging career-highs in points (13.5), assists (3.4), rebounds (2.5), 3-point shooting (36.3%), free-throw shooting (79.8%) and minutes per game (30.6%) in his first year as a starter at this level.
Upon his departure from the Gators, it was said that Aberdeen received a better NIL package from the Wildcats. Florida ultimately signed Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee out of the transfer portal, and while Fland is returning to the Gators, Lee has exhausted his eligibility following three seasons at Princeton.
Aberdeen, a member of the 2025 national championship team, will need to apply for a waiver from the NCAA to play a fifth season as he suited up in 12 games as a freshman and played 32+ games in his final three campaigns.
With Fland and Aberdeen likely both set as starters, Florida could return to relying on its backcourt with sophomore Isaiah Brown playing the wing. If head coach Todd Golden is able to convince starters Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu to return, the Gators would once again be considered favorites in the SEC and legitimate national title contenders.
